Space divider panel construction

ABSTRACT

An all-metal panel adapted for use in movable space dividers is formed with peripheral frame of channel construction. The panel skin is attached directly to the channels at inwardly-turned lips formed on the channel side walls. The upper and lower channels support the top and floor seals while the side channels support an improved edge seal consisting of a removable generally Zshaped member, incorporating a tubular seal, which snaps into position within the side channel and which is proportional to mate with an edge seal on an adjacent seal.

United States Patent 1191 Baggy 1451 Apr. 16, 1974 [54] SPACE DIVIDER PANEL CONSTRUCTION 3,392,497 7/1968 Cushman 52/241 X 1 3,453,790 7/1969 Harr' 52/241 X [75] Inventor: Baggy 3,707,060 12/1972 Jalise fl 52/241 [73] Assignee: American Standard Inc., New York,

N.Y. Primary Examiner-Price C. Faw, Jr.

[22] Filed: Apr. 12, 1972 [21 App1.N0.: 243,272 [57] ABSTRACT An all-metal panel adapted for use in movable space dividers is formed with peripheral frame of channel 5" 1 construction. The panel skin is attached directly to the n channels at inwardly tumed lips formed on the chan [58] Field of Search 52/242, 580, 619, 620,

52/393 24] 615 586 585 122 173 143 239 nel side walls. The upper and lower channels support the top and floor seals while the side channels support an improved edge seal consisting of a removable gen- [56] References Clted erally Z-shaped member, incorporating a tubular seal, UNITEDCSTATES PATENTS which snaps into position within the side channel and 3,072,227 1/1963 v Baker 52/241 X which is proportional to mate with an edge seal on an 3,209,501 10/1965 H0111 52/620 X adjacent seaL 2,862,254 12/1958 Meek..... 52/580 X 4/1963 Gray- 52/241 6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 16 1974 sum 2 BF 2 FIG SPACE DIVIDER PANEL CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Panels which make up movable space dividers or systems of folding panels have traditionally been made with wooden frame parts. Wood was easy to use in the manufacture of panels as these panels were normally custom-made to the specifications and requirements of individual orders. Further, panels with wooden structural parts could be made to be good accoustical qualities. However, such wooden panels have certain disadvantages. First, the construction using wood does not lend itself to quantity production techniques. Second, wooden panels have a relatively poor fire rating.

Efforts have been made to make the panel construction entirely of metal, and a successful metal panel is shown in Good et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,380,506 of 1968,

assigned to the same assignee as this application. The

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an improved and simplified all-metal panel construction particularly adapted for use in movable space divider systems. Individual panels may be continuously hinged together or hinged in pairs as shown in the Good et al patent. They may be tophung as shown in Good et al, or floor supported. Further, the panels may be demountable as shown in Harris, U.S. Pat. No. 3,453,790 of 1969, assigned tothe same assignee as this invention.

Rolled channel material is used for the rectangular panel frame. Thus, a generally U-shaped channel extends across the top of the panel, the pair of U-shaped channels extend vertically at thesides of the panel, and a lower transverse channel extends across the bottom of the panel. The channel construction provides a convenient arrangement by which the metal skin of the panel may be attached in the frame. The channel members are formed with inwardly-turned ends, and the horizontal and vertical edges of the skin, at each panel side, is attached to the frame by rolling the skin to conform to the ends. A minimum of assembly labor is required in this operation. Preferably, the top and bottom channels are attached to the skinby spot-welding. Then the side channels are inserted in place and, in a rolling operation, the skin is attached to the inwardly-turned ends of the side channels. Suitable accoustical material is previously attached to the side panels, and any additional accoustical filling inserted between the panel skins as desired. Any suitable finish may be applied to the panel skin surfaces either prior to or, preferably, after their attachment to the channel frame.

The channel members defining the panel frame are oriented so as to open outwardly. The top panel thus provides a convenient means by which a top sweep seal assembly may be supported on the panel. Similarly, thev bottom channel provides a convenient arrangement by which floor seals may be incorporated. Floor seals may beof the fixed sweep variety, or may be operable as shown in White, U.S. Pat. No. 3,374,821 of 1968, assigned to the same assignee as this invention.

The side channels provide a convenient arrangement by which edge seals may be applied. The invention ineludes an improved form of edge seal consisting of a generally Z-shaped strip of sheet metal which is formed to snap over the inwardly-turned edges of the side channel, and which supports a soft generally tubular compression seal member, for mating engagement with the surface of the edge seal on an adjacent panel.

An object of the invention is the provision of an essentially all-metal panel in a movable space divider which is particularly adapted to be made using laborsaving techniques.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a movable space divider panel in which sections of channel-shaped frame material are used at the top, the sides and at the bottom, to form a frame, and in which the metal skin is attached by rolling and/or welding directly onto the channels.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a movable space divider panel system in which operable floor seals are received within a bottom channel member, in which edge seals are supported within side channel members, and in which a top seal may be supported on a top channel member.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved edge seal for a movable space divider system.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, theaccompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially broken-away elevation of a movable space divider panel constructed according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section taken generally along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary partially broken-away detail of the upper left-hand corner of the panel of FIG. ll;

FIG. 4 is a further fragmentary partially broken-away detail of the lower left-hand corner of the panel of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section on the same scale as that of FIG. 2 taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1', and

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view, partially broken away, of the panel of this invention, with the side channel members removed.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The panel for a movable space divider constructed according to this invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Generally, the panel comprises a center section 10 which supports track or ceiling seal assembly 12, a pair of vertical edge seals 14 and a floor seal assembly 15. Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2-6 for details of the panel, it is shown as being formed with a peripheral frame including a top channel member 20, a bottom channel member 22, and a pair of spaced-apart side channel members 23 and 24 (FIG. 2).

Each of the channel members 20, 22, 23 and 24 is formed according to the same general concepts. Thus, referring to FIG. 2' for the purpose of illustration, the channel member 23 is formed with an inner wall 26, and a pair of spaced-apart side walls 27 and 28. The spacing of the side walls of the channels is the same in each of the four channel members and generally defines the width or thickness of the overall panel. The

side walls 27 and 28, in each of the channel members, terminate in a pair of transversely inwardly-turned ends 29. The inwardly-turned ends 29 provide additional strength to the channels, and as will be subsequently explained, provides an attachment means for the panel skins.

The interior of the panel is closed by sheet metal skins 30 and 32. The skins 30 and 32 may be reenforced by gypsum board 33 bonded to their inside surfaces. The skins 30 and 32 thus close the sides of the panels and are joined to the channel frame members at the channel terminal ends 29. As shown in FIGS. and 6, the upper and lower edges of the skins and 32 are curved inwardly as shown at 35 in FIG. 6, and are spotwelded at 36 to the associated inwardly-turned end of the upper or top channel member 20. The skins are similarly lapped and welded at the bottom to the channel 26.

After the skins 30 and 32 are thus positioned in place, the side channel members 24 and 23 are slid into place between the skins and four angle-shaped corner braces 38 are then welded, joining the adjacent inside walls 26 of adjacent channels into a rigid rectangular structure. The extended vertical edges 40 of the skins are then rolled over the inwardly-turned ends 29 of the side channels, as shown in FIG. 2, thus completing the attachment of the sheet metal side skins 30 and 32 with respect to the peripheral channel frame.

As shown in the drawings, each of the channel members opens outwardly of the panel. The channel members thus provide a convenient arrangement by which the panel seals may be attached to the panel. As previously mentioned, a top sweep seal assembly 12 is provided. This sweep seal assembly includes an extruded base plate which is attached to the panel on a series of inverted channel-shaped spacers 46. The spacers 46 are proportioned to be received within the dimensions of the top channel member 20 underlying the associated inwardly-turned ends 29 thereof. A screw 48 and a hold-down washer 49 complete the assembly of the base plate 45 on to the spacers 46.

The base plate 45 has a length corresponding generally to the overall width of the panel and is formed with a width which substantially equals the thickness of the panel so that the vertical edge of the base plate forms, in appearance, a continuation of the adjacent skin 30 or 32. The upper surface of the base plate 45 is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending grooves 50 and 52 which receive therein elongated molded vinyl sweep seals 55. The sweep seals engage the soffit formed at either side of the conventional ceiling track, or engage the ceiling as the case may be. They are formed with four flexible fingers 56 and a somewhat shorter outside rigid finger 58. The rigid finger 58 normally does not bear against the sealing surface and is formed of heavier material than the fingers 56 so that it resists wrinkling, and provides a neat and attractive appearance to the panel. While a fixed top seal assembly 12 is shown, it is within the scope of the invention to provide other types of seals, such as a bulb seal or an operable or automatic seal.

One of the advantages of the invention resides in the fact that the channel members making up the frame may be conveniently made to different depths, as desired, for the purpose of housing or retaining a particular associated sealing mechanism. For example, the

bottom channel member 26 is shown as having a depth which is substantially greater than that of the top channel 20, for the purpose of housing and retaining the floor sweep seal assembly 15, as shown in FIG. 5. The floor sweep assembly 15 includes an inverted channelshaped floor seal frame 60 which is proportioned to be received within the bottom channel member 22 and is formed with outwardly-turned lower ends 62 received over the adjacent inwardly-turned channel ends 29 and the lower terminal edges 35 of the skins 30 and 32. The frame 60 is thus formed with a depth which substantially equals that of the bottom channel member 22. A U-shaped floor seal support tab 65 (FIGS. 5 and 6) is received at each end of the frame 60 and has its side flanges spot welded to the adjacent inside surfaces of the frame side walls.

An extruded aluminum floor sweep seal support 66 is proportioned to be received between the side walls of the frame 60 and is, itself, formed with a pair of side walls 67 terminating in guide fingers 68 which are proportioned to bear on or engage the inside wall surface of the frame 60. The support 66 incorporates a retainer plate 70 on the terminal ends thereof, which plate is retained by a fastener 72 received within an extruded fastener-receiving aperture 73 formed on the support 66. The upper end of the plate 70 is slotted as indicated at 74 to receive the heads of a pair of threaded fasteners 75, the latter being threaded into tapped openings provided in the end tab 65 and providing for vertical adjustment of the floor seals.

The floor seal support 66 is further provided with downwardly-opening longitudinal grooves for retaining a pair of extruded vinyl sweep seals 78. The seals 78, in this embodiment, may be formed identically to that of the sweep seals 55, as previously described. The assembly 15 is retained in position on the panel by screws which also retain angle trim strips 82 extending along the bottom edges of the panel. A vinyl transversely extending seal strip 84 is received between the strips 82 and the outwardly-flared lower ends 62 of the frame 60, and bear against the sides of the support 66 for closing the gap between the frame 60 and the support 66 and forming a light and sound barrier. As previously mentioned, it is within the scope of the invention to employ an operable floor seal in lieu of the sweep seal assembly 15, and the downwardly-opening bottom channel 22 may be provided with a depth necessary to accommodate the mechanism for the operable seals.

The invention is further provided with an improved edge seal 14, the details of which are best shown in FIG. 2. The edge seal assembly 14 includes a vertically oriented, generally Z-shaped metal seal strip member 90. One vertical edge of the member is formed with a flange 92 folded back on itself and forming a pocket received over one of the inwardly-turned channel ends 29 of one side channel member. The opposite end of the member 90 is similarly formed with a folded pocket-defining flange 94, terminating in a lead-in cam surface 95. In assembly, the pocket defined by the flange 92 is inserted on an end 29 and then the seal strip member 90 is simply pressed or snapped into place, and the surface 95 guides the opposite edge of the sealstrip over the adjacent inwardly-turned edge 29. I

The edge seal strip 90 is preferably made of flexible sheet metal material and is self-supporting on the side channel members when it is snapped in place. One of the legs 96 of the member 90 is formed with a semicircular vertically-oriented recess 97 which is proportioned to receive a correspondingly vertically-oriented deformable elastic tubular seal 100 therein. The seal 100 has a peripheral portion which extends outwardly of the recess 97 to come into sealing engagement with one leg of the adjacent member 90 on an adjacent panel-as shown in phantom in FIG. 2. The seals 100 are symmetrical so that a'panel can be turned through 180 and still mate with an adjacent panel. This is an important feature with multiple track panel systems to provide maximum versatility in the use of individual panels.

The panel may be supported for movement along an overhead track in which case a conventional trolley pendant bolt may extend through the plate 45 and be supported directly on the top channel member 20. A trolley reenforcing plate 105 for this purpose is shown in end elevation in FIG. 5. The plate 105 is located on the inside surface of the member back wall and has the conventional opening 106 for receiving the pendant bolt. The panel may be floor supported by the use of floor track engaging wheels (not shown) supported on the bottom channel member 22.

. It will, therefore, be seen that an essentially all-metal panel is formed which is readily adapted-to production manufacturing techniques. The channel material defining the frame may be readily preformed and cut to length. It is a relatively simple matter to attach the skins 30 and 32 to the top and bottom channel ends, byrolling the terminal edges 35 of the skin over these ends and spot-welded. The side or edgechannels 23 and 24 may then be inserted in place, the corner braces 38 applied, and the edges 40 of the skins rolled over the ends 29 of the side channels as shown in FIG. 2. At this time, the appropriate top and floor seals may be applied, and an appropriate finish may be applied to the outside surface of the skins as desired. The edge seal assemblies 14 may be preformed to desired lengths and readily snapped into place.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

. What is claimed is:

1. In a movable space divider havingv individual panels adapted to be positioned coplanar edge-to-edge relation, the improvement in panel construction comprising a peripheral frame including a top channelshaped frame member, a bottom channel-shaped frame member, and a pair of spaced-apart side channelshaped frame members, each of said frame members having a back anda pair of side walls extending therefrom, said side walls terminating in a pair of transversely inwardly-turned ends, each of said frame members being positioned in said peripheral frame with its back facing the insideof said panel and its open side facing outwardly therefrom, a pair of metal skin members closing the sides of said panel and joined to said frame members at said terminal ends thereof, means on said top frame member for supporting a ceiling seal, means on said bottom frame member for supporting a floor seal including an elongated floor-seal support member movable vertically in the space between said bottom frame member side walls, and means on said side frame members for supporting vertical edge seals.

2. In a movable space divider having individual panelsadapted to be positioned in coplanar edge-to-edge relation, the improvement in panel construction comprising a peripheral frame including a top channelshaped frame member, a bottom channel-shaped frame member, and a pair of spaced-apart side channelshaped frame members, each of said frame members having a back and a pair of side walls extending therefrom, said side walls terminating in a pair of transversely inwardly-turned ends, each of said frame members being positioned in said peripheral frame with its back facing the inside of said panel and its open side facing outwardly therefrom, a pair of metal skin members closing the sides of said panel and joined to said frame members at said terminal ends thereof, means on 7 said top frame member for supporting a ceiling seal,

means on said bottom frame member for supporting a floor seal, means on said side frame members for supporting vertical edge seals, and edge seals on said side frames comprising vertically-extending generally Z- shaped inserts received and supported on the inwardlytumed ends of said side frame members.

3. The panel of claim 2 in which said generally Z- shaped inserts each define a vertically-oriented outwardly-opening semi-cylindrical recess and a corresponding vertically-oriented deformable generallycylindrical seal received in said recess with a peripheral portion thereof extending outwardly of said recess for sealing engagement with an adjacent said edge seal on an adjacent said panel.

4. The divider of claim 2 in which said inserts are transversely symmetrical permitting the individual panels to be turned edge-for-edge and mate with the edge of an adjacent panel.

5. In a movable space divider having individual panels adapted to be positioned in coplanar edge-to-edge relation, the improvement in panel construction comprising a peripheral frame including a top channelshaped frame member, a bottom channel-shaped frame member, and a pair of spaced-apart side channelshaped frame members, each of said frame members having a back and a pair of side walls extending therefrom, said side walls terminating in a pair of transversely inwardly-turned ends, each of said frame mem bers being positioned in said peripheral frame with its backfacing the inside of said panel and its open side facing outwardly therefrom, a pair of metal skin members closing the sides of said panel and having peripheral edges joined to said frame members at said terminal ends thereof, edge seals on said panels having a I vertically-extending generally Z-shaped member received and supported on the inwardly-turned ends of said side frame members, said Z-shaped member defining a vertically-oriented outwardly-opening semicylindrical recess, and a deformable generallycylindrical seal received in said recess with a peripheral portion thereof extending outwardly of said recess for sealing engagement with an adjacent edge seal on an adjacent said panel;

6. A movable space divider in which individual panels are movable into edge-to-edge relation, the improvement in panel construction comprising a top frame member, a pair of spaced-apart side frame members and a bottom frame member, each of said frame members having a generally channel-shaped construction formed with side walls and a back wall, each said frame member being positioned with its back wall on the inside of the panel and its open side facing outwardly providing space for supporting peripheral seals thereon, said bottom frame member having a depth as measured by the length of its side walls which exceeds that of the top and side frame members, a pair of metal skins closing the sides of said panel and joined to said frame members at the terminal ends of the side walls thereof, said bottom frame member having its side walls terminating in a pair of transversely inwardlyturned ends, a channel-shaped floor seal support frame proportioned to be received within said bottom frame member and being formed with outwardly-turned lower ends received over the adjacent said inwardlyturned frame member ends and providing therein clearance space for the vertical movement of a floor seal, a floor seal support proportioned to be received within the side walls of said floor seal frame and mounted thereon for vertical adjusting movement, means on said support forming a floor seal for engagement with a floor, and means forming seals between said floor seal support and said floor seal support frame. 

1. In a movable space divider having individual panels adapted to be positioned in coplanar edge-to-edge relation, the improvement in panel construction comprising a peripheral frame including a top channel-shaped frame member, a bottom channelshaped frame member, and a pair of spaced-apart side channelshaped frame members, each of said frame members having a back and a pair of side walls extending therefrom, said side walls terminating in a pair of transversely inwardly-turned ends, each of said frame members being positioned in said peripheral frame with its back facing the inside of said panel and its open side facing outwardly therefrom, a pair of metal skin members closing the sides of said panel and joined to said frame members at said terminal ends thereof, means on said top frame member for supporting a ceiling seal, means on said bottom frame member for supporting a floor seal including an elongated floor seal support member movable vertically in the space between said bottom frame member side walls, and means on said side frame members for supporting vertical edge seals.
 2. In a movable space divider having individual panels adapted to be positioned in coplanar edge-to-edge relation, the improvement in panel construction comprising a peripheral frame including a top channel-shaped frame member, a bottom channel-shaped frame member, and a pair of spaced-apart side channel-shaped frame members, each of said frame members having a back and a pair of side walls extending therefrom, said side walls terminating in a pair of transversely inwardly-turned ends, each of said frame members being positioned in said peripheral frame with its back facing the inside of said panel and its open side facing outwardly therefrom, a pair of metal skin members closing the sides of said panel and joined to said frame members at said terminal ends thereof, means on said top frame member for supporting a ceiling seal, means on said bottom frame member for supporting a floor seal, means on said side frame members for supporting vertical edge seals, and edge seals on said side frames comprising vertically-extending generally Z-shaped inserts received and supported on the inwardly-turned ends of said side frame members.
 3. The panel of claim 2 in which said generally Z-shaped inserts each define a vertically-oriented outwardly-opening semi-cylindrical recess and a corresponding vertically-oriented deformable generally-cylindrical seal received in said recess with a peripheral portion thereof extending outwardly of said recess for sealing engagement with an adjacent said edge seal on an adjacent said panel.
 4. The divider of claim 2 in which said inserts are transversely symmetrical permitting the individual panels to be turned edge-for-edge and mate with the edge of an adjacent panel.
 5. In a movable space divider having individual panels adapted to be positioned in coplanar edge-to-edge relation, the improvement in panel construction comprising a peripheral frame including a top cHannel-shaped frame member, a bottom channel-shaped frame member, and a pair of spaced-apart side channel-shaped frame members, each of said frame members having a back and a pair of side walls extending therefrom, said side walls terminating in a pair of transversely inwardly-turned ends, each of said frame members being positioned in said peripheral frame with its back facing the inside of said panel and its open side facing outwardly therefrom, a pair of metal skin members closing the sides of said panel and having peripheral edges joined to said frame members at said terminal ends thereof, edge seals on said panels having a vertically-extending generally Z-shaped member received and supported on the inwardly-turned ends of said side frame members, said Z-shaped member defining a vertically-oriented outwardly-opening semi-cylindrical recess, and a deformable generally-cylindrical seal received in said recess with a peripheral portion thereof extending outwardly of said recess for sealing engagement with an adjacent edge seal on an adjacent said panel.
 6. A movable space divider in which individual panels are movable into edge-to-edge relation, the improvement in panel construction comprising a top frame member, a pair of spaced-apart side frame members and a bottom frame member, each of said frame members having a generally channel-shaped construction formed with side walls and a back wall, each said frame member being positioned with its back wall on the inside of the panel and its open side facing outwardly providing space for supporting peripheral seals thereon, said bottom frame member having a depth as measured by the length of its side walls which exceeds that of the top and side frame members, a pair of metal skins closing the sides of said panel and joined to said frame members at the terminal ends of the side walls thereof, said bottom frame member having its side walls terminating in a pair of transversely inwardly-turned ends, a channel-shaped floor seal support frame proportioned to be received within said bottom frame member and being formed with outwardly-turned lower ends received over the adjacent said inwardly-turned frame member ends and providing therein clearance space for the vertical movement of a floor seal, a floor seal support proportioned to be received within the side walls of said floor seal frame and mounted thereon for vertical adjusting movement, means on said support forming a floor seal for engagement with a floor, and means forming seals between said floor seal support and said floor seal support frame. 